Sri Lanka’s health crisis

Sri Lanka is facing a severe political and economic crisis, and the health system is at risk of collapse. The crisis has been caused by years of economic mismanagement, an abrupt ban on agrochemicals in April 2021 causing a steep drop in agricultural output, and the covid-19 induced decline of the tourism industry.1 In early April 2022, Sri Lanka declared itself insolvent and unable to service its overseas debt.2Interconnected challenges, including a severe shortage of essential medicines, a worsening socioeconomic landscape, and human rights violations,3 remain substantial threats to health in Sri Lanka. Understanding and addressing Sri Lanka’s health crisis is an urgent priority, both for its population and for other low- and middle- income countries facing similar challenges.During the first quarter of 2022, lengthy power cuts and medicines shortages undermined the provision of effective healthcare across the country.4, 5 Efforts to resolve these problems have fallen far short of…
Read Original Article: Sri Lanka’s health crisis »